5 Things to Know: A crackdown on drinking to an animal chase

Mike Ramsey

Friday

Jul 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 27, 2007 at 8:59 PM

Parents blamed for underage drinking. In a highly publicized Chicago-area prosecution that may set a legal standard for parents, Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell of Deerfield were convicted last weekend following the October 2006 drunken-driving deaths of two teens who had attended a youth party at their home.

The parents said they were unaware that underage friends of their son were drinking alcohol but Lake County prosecutors disagreed. A jury concurred; sentencing is slated for September.

Lions and tigers and … red pandas. Lincoln Park Zoo unveiled its remodeled lion house, but it’s a bit of a misnomer. Among the newer inhabitants are shaggy Pallas’ cats from Asia – little bigger than ordinary house casts -- and a raccoon-like creature, also from Asia, known as a red panda.

Coyote chase. Meanwhile, outside the zoo, a wily coyote successfully evaded animal-control officers during a daytime chase in Lincoln Park. The indigenous critter found sanctuary on the estate grounds of Cardinal Francis George, according to media reports.

Burge not yet purged. The shadow cast by Jon Burge, the now-retired police commander who is blamed for cop-station tortures through the 1980s, won’t go away. Last week, Chicago aldermen discussed the possibility of cutting his pension and city-sponsored legal defense. A 2006 investigative report found the torture allegations credible but noted too much time has passed for criminal charges to be filed against Burge.

What’s next. Wilco, Chicago’s home-grown super group, will headline a Sept. 12 paid concert at Millennium Park’s famous Pritzker Pavilion (you know, the outdoor venue that resembles a giant silver ribbon unraveling). Most shows at the pavilion have been free, but net proceeds from the Wilco gig will benefit the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Mike Ramsey is Chicago reporter for GateHouse News Service. He can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net .